Dunshaughlin Gaels march to deserved victory
U-16 Division 1 Girls final
Mary O'Regan
Recently Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels u- 16 Division 1 team had cause for celebration.
They made the short trip to Dunboyne for their final against the home team on a damp, foggy Saturday morning.
They overcome St Pat's the previous week in a close fought semi-final to face old foes Dunboyne in the final and eventually win out 2-10 to 0-8.
Our girls started off with fire in their bellies and totally dominated the opposition, a few early points from Katelyn Robinson and Áine Mc Tigue settled the girls in black and amber down.
A thundering goal from Tara Glennon saw Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels lead 1-5 to 0-01 after 25 minutes.
Dunboyne only picked up one other score in the half, leaving the visitors go into the second-half 1-5 to 0-2 up.
Dunboyne started the second-half much better with two quick points reducing the deficit to 3 points but the Dunshaughlin girls responded well with some outstanding defending by Saoirse Walker, Niamh Summerville and Aisling O’Connor. Clair Mc Carrick covered a huge amount of ground supporting both backs and forwards when needed. Keeper, Caitlin Summerville pulled off a couple of great saves which kept Dunboyne at bay.
The midfield generals of Grace Summerville and Siún Hartigan covered the ground with ease, winning ball and commanding the mid field, they were ably assisted by Ronnique Kato and Georgia Muldoon who had solid performances in the half back line.
Olivia Quinn opened the scoring for the black and amber in the second half slotting over a lovely point. Tara and Olivia in the half forward line made sure the forwards had plenty of ball going in to them to get the crucial scores.
Dunboyne never dropped their heads but it wasn’t to be their day.
A quickly taken free put Katelyn Robinson in the clear and she deftly lobbed the advancing keeper to put daylight between the teams.
Substitutes Katie Smith, Mia Summerville, Gillian Murray and Grace McGivern slotted seamless into the game ensuring the momentum kept going.
Dunshaughlin got a few more points from play from Katelyn, Orlaith McEntee, Ellie Dervan and Tara which ensured the victory on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-8 in what was an outstanding display from all 19 Dunshaughlin girls.
Captain, Grace Summerville accepted the cup from Meath LGFA’s Patricia Mead on behalf of a delighted team.
Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels - Caitlin Summerville, Niamh Summerville, Saoirse Walker, Clair McCarick, Aisling O' Connor, Ronnique Kato, Georgia Muldoon, Grace Summerville (c), Siún Hartigan, Olivia Quinn, Tara Glennon, Ellie Dervan, Katelyn Robinson, Áine Mc Tigue, Orlaith McEntee, Grace McGivern, Katie Smith, Gillian Murray, Mia Summerville
Mentors - Teresa Ennis, George Ennis, Laura Quinn, Daniel Quinn.